Stephen Ministry Invitation
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BECOME A STEPHEN MINISTER
STEPHEN MINISTRY -
HIGH COMMITMENT AND HIGH REWARD
Why does Stephen Ministry have an application and interview process?
This is not busy work. The Bible makes it clear that every Christian is gifted for ministry and called to use these gifts in service to God and others. Filling out an application and going through an interview helps individuals to pray deeply and make their own sound decision about whether or not Stephen Ministry is right for them. It helps to clarify where God wants them to serve.
And what are the commitments asked of Stephen Ministers?
They are asked to serve a minimum of two years, which includes training and then service as a caregiver. The commitment includes attending all 50 hours of training, serving under the direction of the Stephen Lead-ers and the Pastor, and attending all twice-monthly supervision and continuing education sessions.
Those are the high commitments but what of the high rewards?
For each Stephen Minister, the joy of participating in meaningful ministry and of serving Jesus is profound. In addition, Stephen Ministers gain the friendship and support of the Christian community they develop in training and supervision; they grow through training, service and supervision; they find enhanced relation-ships with family, friends, co-workers and others; they learn greater interpersonal relationship skills that prove valuable at work and in other activities; and they find increased faith in God, dedication to Jesus and enjoyment of their religious life. Many people find Stephen Ministry so personally rewarding that they serve years beyond their initial two-year commitment.
There are also high rewards for the congregation and community due to the high commitment of Stephen Ministers. There is the confidence that quality care is being offered to those who need it. Like leaven in the loaf, the high commitment of Stephen Ministers invites every member to step up and respond to everyday opportunities to care. And finally, the Stephen Minister’s joy in serving will be contagious in the congrega-tion, encouraging others to serve in a variety of ministries that fit their talents and gifts.
If God is calling you to serve in this high commitment-high reward ministry; if you want to grow spiritually and help others; contact Vern Smith at 525-9815 for an application and more information. We’ll focus on you to help you make the best decision about where to use your gifts. If Stephen Ministry is where you are called to serve, we’ll help equip you to use your gifts effectively. We’ll support you with love and prayer so that you perform well and experience joy in your service. We’ll pray that your joy in ministry and the care you give will be contagious at Morning Star and in our community.
Grow spiritually. Make a difference. Become a Stephen Minister.
SMALL BITS OF CARING LOVE
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said, “I cannot do great things; I can only do small things with great love.”
Stephen Ministers on the front lines of care-giving and Stephen Leaders as they equip and support in the background, follow Mother Teresa’s example, they provide seemingly small bits of care with a lot of love for hurting people.
A visit a week from a Stephen Minister may not seem like much. But to the person who’s in pain, that visit offers connection, hope for a new outlook and a caring presence through his or her darkest journey. The hour that a Stephen Minister spends with a person can be a beacon of hope in a troubled time.
Each visit of a Stephen Minister is a little thing, done with great love, and that makes more of a difference than we may ever know.
Article compliments of http://www.stephenministries.org/
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HELP PEOPLE GET THE CARE THEY NEED
Be sensitive to those around you. It's you, the peo-ple in the pews, who know that someone is going through a tough time. Make the connection. Approach that person and gently discuss the Stephen Ministry option.
Think beyond your church walls. You'll find suffering people who may not have close friends or family nearby and who aren't part of a church community. Reach out to them and help them find the care they need through Stephen Ministry.
Pray and be open to God's leading. Ask God to help you help others find care. Sometimes it's easy to find hurting people--someone in tears or sitting on a park bench with head in hands. Sometimes the signs are more subtle. Pray for the vision to recognize those signs and the courage to reach out to people in pain.
Don't assume that a struggling person will seek Stephen Ministry help. Hurting people may not have the energy, the time, or the courage to make the initial contact. In a caring and confidential way, approach the person in distress and suggest Stephen Ministry. If you sense that something is holding them back from seek-ing help through Stephen Ministry, you can offer to make that initial contact for them.
Call Church Office for contacts
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COPING WITH HOSPITAL VISITS
“When people are in pain, it's especially important to surround them with healing love.”
David A. Paap
When a friend or family member is hospitalized, we realize they are in physical and emotional pain. We want to be there for them; let them know we care. Often however, we are uncomfortable with visiting in a hospital room. We wonder when it is best to visit; how to act; what to say; how to deal with hospital routine and staff. We fear making the emotional pain of hospitalization worse for our friend.
This proverb describes an all-too-human problem each of us faces from time to time. Someone we know is experiencing suffering. We want to help -- we need to help -- but our well intended words or actions often end up adding to the person’s burdens instead of easing his or her pain.
Don’t Sing Songs to a Heavy Heart provides a healing remedy. Built on a solid biblical foundation and brimming with God's grace, the book has practical examples and specific suggestions about what to say or do -- and what not to say or do. It will guide you in bringing Christ’s loving care to hurting people when they need it most.
Written by Kenneth C. Haugh, founder and director of the Stephen Ministries, Don’t Sing Songs to a Heavy Heart was forged in the crucible of his own suffering during his wife’s struggle with cancer and the time after her death.
The book was then shaped through careful research with more than four thousand individuals who had also known suffering in their lives. Dr. Haugh compressed their collective wisdom into gems of compassion and understanding that everyone can use. As part of their ongoing training materials, Morning Star’s Stephen Ministers can testify that the book touches your heart and expands your thinking. If you would like a copy of this book, please contact one of our Stephen Leaders:
* Book review from Stephen Ministry website
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Q: What is Stephen Ministry?
A: Stephen Ministry is a program by which specially trained laity are prepared to provide distinctively Christian care through one-on-one relationships with people going through difficult times.
Q: Who are Stephen Ministers?
A: Stephen Ministers are called and equipped for a special ministry of care-giving and support. They are laypeople who go through a process of application and interview prior to receiving 50 hours of specialized training. After the initial 50 hours of training, Stephen Ministers engage in peer review and continuing education twice per month, throughout their time of service as a Stephen Minister. They are people who listen well, and share the love of Jesus Christ through their ministries of care and compassion.
Q: Who trains and oversees the Stephen Ministers?
A: A team of "Stephen Leaders" who have attended an intensive training event called a Leaders Training Conference (LTC). Morning Star's Stephen Leaders are Vern and Margaret Smith, and Ellen Saige. Vern, Ellen, and Pastor Jon attended their LTC in St. Louis, the headquarters of Stephen Ministry.
Q: When will Stephen Ministry begin at Morning Star?
A: Our initial team of 8 Stephen Ministers training has already ended, the ministers were already commissioned at a worship service, and some Stephen Ministers have already met with care receivers.
Q: How can Morning Star support Stephen Ministry?
A: PRAY for our Stephen Ministers as they go through their training. Early next year, we will share how the members of the congregation play an essential role in linking Stephen Ministers with potential care receivers in our congregation and community.
Questions that weren't answered here?
Ask our Stephen Leaders!
Do
you need a listening ear and a prayer partner for whatever reason?
Please
call Fran Boldt 373-1703 , Stephen Ministry
Referrals Coordinator.
Email: pastortravis@morningstarumc.org (Pastor) office@morningstarumc.org (Office)
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Pastor's Office Hours Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm The Pastor is also available by appointment.
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